Sunderland have extended the contract of defender Wes Brown, who appeared close to leaving the club this summer.
The former Manchester United man had just a few weeks before his contract with the Northeast outfit expired. After managing to secure their Premier League status for another season, the club brought in Dick Advocaat for another campaign at the club.Advocaat revealed that he was stepping down after just a few months at Sunderland. However, he was highly regarded at the club after managing to avoid relegation in a stunning fashion.
Wes Brown had just completed a disappointing season with the club. After having joined the black cats in 2011, he has experienced relegation trouble since his time at the club. It does not appear to go away any time soon, but Brown has been partly blamed for the poor defensive performances by the team. The team had conceded 53 goals in just 38 league games. Even though they averaged more than a goal per game in terms of conceding, the team could manage only 31 goals in the attacking side. Since his move to the Stadium of Light, Brown has featured in 80 matches for Sunderland.
His most productive time came during his spell at Manchester United where he won 17 major titles before his move to Sunderland. Meanwhile, the club’s star striker Jermain Defoe has comparedAdvocaat to Chelsea boss José Mourinho.Advocaat has been a winner in terms of club career and it is only at Sunderland that he is involved with relegation fight. Defoe is hoping thatAdvocaat transforms Sunderland into a club that will be capable of finishing in the top half of the league table. Last season, the club avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth after finishing three points above Hull City, who were relegated.